Related Profiles

Evaluation of the NC Pre-Kindergarten Program

About the North Carolina Pre-K Evaluation

The NC Pre-K Program Evaluation Project at the FPG Child Development Institute has served as the external evaluator for the NC Pre-K Program since its inception during 2001-2002 (as More at Four). A variety of statewide evaluation studies have been conducted, including multiple studies of program services, classroom quality, and children’s outcomes during their pre-k year as well as longer-term into kindergarten and third grade. The primary research questions addressed by these evaluations have included:

What were the key characteristics of the local NC Pre-K Programs?

What was the quality of NC Pre-K classrooms and what factors were associated with better quality?

What were the outcomes of children attending NC Pre-K and what factors were associated with better outcomes?

To what extent have there been any changes over time in these results?

About the North Carolina Pre-K Program

The NC Pre-K Program (formerly the More at Four Program) is North Carolina's statewide pre-kindergarten initiative for eligible four-year-olds. The program serves nearly 30,000 children per year, and is overseen by the North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE). NC Pre-K is a targeted pre-k program, with children eligible primarily based on age and family income (up to 75% of state median income). NC Pre-K is provided in classroom-based settings (public preschool, child care, Head Start) on a school-based model. Program guidelines include standards related to staff qualifications, class size, teacher-child ratios, NC child care licensing levels, curriculum, assessment, and provision of other program services.

For more information about the NC Pre-K Program, see the DCDEE website.